Health Tip: Suggestions for Cleaning Fruit and Veggies

• Tweet
• Pin It

Some 48 million people in the United States get sick each year from contaminated food, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

And animal products aren’t the only culprit. Produce — such as spinach, lettuce, tomatoes and cantaloupe — also may be a source of foodborne illness, the agency warns.

The FDA suggests how to help ensure that your fruit and veggies are safe:

• Wash hands well with warm water and soap before and after handling produce.
• If bruising occurs during preparation, cut away damaged areas before eating.
• Rinse produce before peeling to prevent transfer of dirt and bacteria.
• Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce, such as a melon or cucumber.
• Dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel.
• Remove the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage.

Source: HealthDay

Copyright © 2026 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

• Tweet
• Pin It